In Laos, Mr Obama will wrestle with the ghosts of past USA policies as he meets leaders of the Association of South-East Asian Nations.
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The White House called off a planned meeting Tuesday with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, after the brash new leader referred to Obama as a “son of a bitch”.
He said the Prime Minister will attend a meeting with the Malaysian business community here today (Sept 6). President Obama met with Laotian President Vorachit on the first visit to the Southeast Asian country by a sitting American president.
Mr. Obama, who travels to Laos from the G-20 summit hosted by China in Hangzhou, will have bilateral meetings with Lao President Bounnhang Vorachith, who was promoted from the vice presidency in January, when several other top leaders shifted, prompting speculation that Vientiane wants to ease away from financial dependence on Beijing and revitalize traditional ties with Hanoi.
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The flap over Duterte’s remarks started when a reporter asked him how he meant to explain the extrajudicial killings of drug dealers to Obama.
Obama later said he asked his staff to determine if meeting with Duterte would still be productive. Apparently addressing Obama, he added: “You must be respectful”.
Even though Duterte’s latest comment does not amount to an apology, the expression of regret is a rare instance when the tough-talking former mayor has expressed contrition for his remarks that often slide into profanity.
The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan also have competing claims to the strategically vital waters, but have watched China expand its presence by building artificial islands in key locations. An worldwide arbitration panel recently ruled that China’s expansive claims in the sea are illegal. But in contrast to China’s overwhelming economic and business presence, trade with the United States amounts to just US$70 million. Beijing has rejected the ruling as a sham. But Laos, which chairs Asean, finds itself in a particularly precarious position as China is trying to influence Asean to support its position on the South China Sea.
Duterte said last week that the Philippine coast guard has sighted Chinese barges at Scarborough, which he said could presage the transformation of the Chinese-held reef into another man-made island.
China has grown to be the largest trading partner of ASEAN, and it was the first country to establish a strategic partnership with ASEAN and the first non-ASEAN signatory to sign the ASEAN Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, the Xinhua News Agency reported in November 2015.
That issue is most likely to catch the world’s attention during Obama’s visit as he discusses the United States’ efforts to clean up unexploded ordnance that has littered Laos for five decades.
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Peachey said his organization is hoping for a $25 million annual commitment from the US for 10 years.
